Top roller for spinning machines



Jan. 17, 1956 H. J. BECK ET A1. TOP ROLLER FOR SPINNING MACHINES Filed May 2, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l J934J155 FQC lnven/'or5 Te i Jan. 17, 956 H, J, BECK ET AL 2,730,773

TOP ROLLER FOR SPINNING MACHINES Filed May 2, 1955.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent l 2,730,771 I TOP ROLLER FCR SPINNING MACHINES Hans Julius Beck and Erwin Friedrich Schmid, Stuttgart,

Germany, assignors to SKF Kugellagerfabrken Gesellschaft mit beschrnkter Haftung Application May 2, 1951, Serial No. 224,136 Claims priority, application Germany May 30, 1956 11 Claims. (Cl. 19-142) This invention relates to a top roller for spinning machines. Due to their smooth operation and the minimum care which they require, top rollers of spinning machines which incorporate anti-friction bearings show great advantages over other types. Still, this appliance does not enjoy the popularity it should due to its advantages. The reason is the high price of the conventional construction, various operational deficiencies, and frequently the imperfect sealing of the bearings against flying fibrous matter.

One of the main reasons for the expensiveness of this roller type lies in the fact that they must be made to fit the pitch of the respective spinning machine or the distance between rollers. The rolling member bearings are usually standardized and the adjustment to the respective pitch is effected by application of individually machined shaft ends and go-betweens. Besides, the high price of the individual machining, the combination of different parts into a single shaft often results in faulty alignment.

The present invention will avoid such imperfections in the top rollers which are designed as loose rollers with two independently running roller bodies. These top rollers run upon double ball bearings of the angular contact bearing type in which the application of gobetweens of different lengths allow a simple adjustment of the clearance to the effect that the bearing is practically rigid as to tilting. Thus it becomes possible, without impairing the operation of the rollers, to set the roller bodies or outer sleeves upon the bearings more or less asymmetrically with respect to the vertical median plane through each of the bearings. In this way it becomes possible with one and the same shaft to provide different pitches within the range defined by the length of that shaft. By making rough adjustments by using different lengths of shafts and by taking advantage of the possibility of fine adjustments by means of the aforementioned setting of the outer sleeves off their middle it is possible, with a small number of standardized shaft lengths, to provide any spacing that may occur in a ring spinning machine. Thus all requirements of an inexpensive series production are fulfilled. The slight clearance of such a bearing, moreover, permits the provision of minimum packing space and thus serves as an excellent guard against flying fibres.

Several examples of embodiment of this invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is an axial sectional view of a pair of top rollers set for minimum spacing;

Figure 2 shows the same pair of rollers set for maximum pitch with the same shaft length;

Figure 3 shows in an axial sectional view a pair of modified top rollers, employing reversible outer sleeves set for small pitch;

Figure 4 shows the same rollers as in Figure 3 with reversed outer sleeves set for a larger pitch;

Figure 5 shows a single top roller, illustrating an offthe-middle-application of force as may occur when in operation;

Figure 6 illustrates a top roller and the connection between a spacing ring, located between the two sets of balls, and the outer race of the bearing;

Figure 7 is a sectional view of a top roller, illustrating nrice 2 the securing of the outer sleeve upon the bearing through the medium of two oval spring clips;

Figure 8 is a sectional View along the line A-B of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a longitudinal sectional View of a top roller with end journal, employing a snap ring to secure the outer sleeve upon the bearing; and

Figure l0 shows, in an enlarged fragmental View, the position and operation of the snap ring of Figure 9.

According to Figure l the shaft 1 which is machined out of a single piece bears two ball bearing grooves 10 in which lie the balls 2 and thereupon an annular member or the outer races 3. The axial guidance is effected by an intermediary ring 4. The outer sleeves 5 which bear an elastic covering 6 are snugly tted upon the annular member 3, off the vertical median plane through said annular member, so that the longer end portions of the outer sleeves show toward the neck il of the shaft 1. Both rollers which are journalled on the cornmon shaft 1 turn independently as the so-called loose rollers are known to.

ln Figure 2 the outer sleeves 5 are arranged with their longer ends showing outwards. It becomes evident that the pitch T1 may hereby be enlarged even though the same shaft 1 is retained. p In case shafts of various sizes are provided, due to the invention, it becomes possible, by using different shaft lengths in combination with the out-of-middle positioning of the outer sleeves 5, to obtain all pitches that may occur in ring spinning machines. Furthermore, if the fact, certified by experiment, i. e. that the pitch need not be exacted to the millimeter, is taken into consideration, the further simplification results in that the distance between rollers once adjusted will still cover pitches which show a slight deviation therefrom. Identification marks on the outer end of the sleeve may indicate the out-of-middle position of the outer sleeves whereby the pitch may easily be determined before assembly. Thus shafts 1 as well as the bearings and outer sleeves may inexpensively be produced in series as standard parts. The conventional adjustment. to the respective pitch by individual production of the parts may thus be abandoned.

The out-of-middle position of outer sleeve 5 combined with an axial motion of fibrous material 1S during operation bring about theapplication of forces upon the hearings, which do not lie in the vertical median plane through a bearing, thus ensuing the risk of a longitudinal tilting or rocking of the bearings, as indicated in Figure 5. With such tilting, the pressure would be unevenly distributed along the surface of contact resulting in an unequal draft of rove 15, and the packing spaces 12 and 1S would necessarily have to be quite large. Therefore a rigid bearing as to tilting is prerequisite for the solution of the pitch problem in the aforementioned manner.

A rigid bearing is usually ensured by providing two angular contact bearings which are set axially in such a manner as to reduce the clearance of the bearing as far as possible. However, all ball bearings of the conventional type are very expensive. Based on the fact that both the pressure and R. P. M. of the top roller are low, the invention provides a simplified double ball bearing of the angular contact bearing type in which only the inner races on the shaft which are subject to greater stress are fitted with grooves 10, whe-reas the outer races 13 remain cylindrical. The clearance of the bearing and thus its tilting zchances are reduced to a minimum by the intermediary rings 4. Such go-betweens will be on hand in various suitable lengths. The required length of part 4 is determined by a simple measurement.

kring in this case.

Various methods may be applied to fasten the outer -race 3 upon the intermediary 4. For this purpose a pin 8 is provided in Figure l, whereas in Figure 6 an annular clip or snap ring 9 is employed. Other connective means may be applied at discretion. As far as rollers which are guided medially are concerned, i. e. at shaft neck 11, they are sealed olf towards the outer end Aby means of a sheet metal cap 23 which is provided with an oil hole 14.

The roller as in Figure 1 is more perfectly sealed inasmuch as the outer sleeve receives a bushing 17 which forms a triing clearance 18 with the shaft 1. Only a bearing engagement rigid as to tilting can prevent grinding of the bushing 17 or the outer race 3, respectively, upon the shaft 1 which would be accompanied by irregularities in the operation of the top roller and result in uneven yarn.

There are various methods to hold the outer sleeve 5 on the bearing. Figure 1 shows an example employing afsl'ioulder 19 and bushing 17. In case of medial guidance, .the outer vsleeve 5 may be entirely closed at the shoulder end as indicated by broken lines in the left hand roller of FigureA i, whereby the cleanliness is increased during operation because the metal cap 2'3 is preventedV from getting fouled. The bushing' 17 which is held in position by means of an annular spring 26 improves the sealing of the bearing due to the small clearance 18. Other possible methods of holding the bushing in position would be e. g. a bayonet joint or screw threads. This bushing may also be replaced by similar objects which vserve the same purpose.

The axial positioning of the outer sleeve may also be effected by employment of Vtwo annular springs 27 as in Figures 7 and 8. It is recommended to give the annular spring 27 an oval shape so it will lie under tension in the groove 28 of the outer sleeve. The projecting arcuate portions 29 are permitted to enter into this groove 28 when the outer sleeve is pushed over the bearing since the latter is either somewhat conical or rounded off at either end. Instead of two annular springs, a single one may be employed to fasten the outer sleeve as in Figure 9. The outer race is provided with a groove 3i) into which the spring snaps. Through the special shape of groove 3l) of which Figure l() presents an enlarged fragmental view, a shoulder is formed towards one side and provides an arrest for the sleeve when it is pushed over. Rounding ofi` the remaining side of the groove facilitates the removal of the sleeve. However,` other means may be applied to fasten the outer sleeve onto the bearing.

The Figures 3 and 4 Vshow a pair of top rollers which embody outer sleeves according to Figures 7 and 9. In case the complementary grooves of the annular member Vand outer sleeve, which receive the snap ring, are not in the center of the outer sleeve, two different pitches are provided by simply reversing the outer sleeve 5. Corresponding with the respective position of the grooves, pitches may be obtained ranging from a minimum amount T1 to a maximum amount T2.

The foregoing specifications are based upon a pair of rollers being medially guided by means of loaded neck 11 which proves benecial in many cases. However, there are many drafting systems in which the guidance is effected by end journals. Even such types may be fitted with the rollers herein described.

As disclosed `in Figure 9 the end journals may be pressed onto the ends of the shaft, provided the sealing caps over the bearings are avoided. Variations in the length of these end journals facilitate accommodation to the various applications. In this case the lubrication will take place through holes 33 which end in anoil groove 34. A small narrow gap 35 provides the seal- The novel top rollers may therefore be employed in all machines which occur in spinning mills.

We claim:

l. Top roller for spinning machines, comprising a shaft, a pair of rollers, one of said rollers being mounted at each end of said shaft for 'independent rotation, a single bearing for each of the rollers, each bearing including two series of balls, the shaft constituting the inner ball races, a single annular member serving as outer races, a ring between said two series of balls, fastening means connecting said ring and annular member to one another, an outer sleeve fitted upon the annular member of each of the rollers and secured in its position, and a covering placed around each outer sleeve.

2. In the top roller according to claim l, at least one of the outer sleeves being arranged asymmetrically with respect to the vertical median plane through its bearing.

3. In the top roller according to claim l, the width of each of said rings being such as to reduce the play of the bearings to a minimum.

4. In the top roller according to claim l, the shaft having two annular grooves to receive the two series of balls, and the annular member having a smooth inner surface.

5. In the top roller according to claim l, means to secure each outer sleeve on its annular member, the securing means for each outer sleeve including a shoulder formed in the outer sleeve, the annular member abutting against said shoulder, a bushing abutting against the annular member, complementary grooves in the `outer sleeve and bushing, and an annular spring received in said grooves, the bushing, depending on the width thereof, permitting the outer sleeve to be lengthwise adjustably positioned on the annular member.

6. In the top roller according to claim l, means to secure each outer sleeve on its annular member, the securing means for each outer sleeve including at least a single groove in the outer sleeve, and a resilient snap ring received in said groove and engaging the respective annular member.

7. In the top roller according to claim 6, the securing means for each outer sleeve including, in addition to the groove in each of the outer sleeves, a complementary groove in the respective annular member, the resilient snap ring being received in the complementary grooves.

8. In the top roller according to claim 7, the complementary grooves being asymmetrically arranged with respect to the vertical median plane through the outer sleeve, making the reversal of the outer sleeves possible.

9. In the top roller according to claim 1, the securing means for each outer sleeve including two grooves in the outer sleeve, and a resilient snap ring received in'each of said grooves, said snap rings engaging the end portions of the bearing.

l0. In the top roller according to claim 1, the support of the two series of balls being formed, in addition Vto the shaftl and annular member, by the frontal or end faces of the ring.

ll. In the top roller according to claim l1, ymeans to retain each outer sleeve on its bearing, the retaining means being provided so as to permit the outer sleeve to be lengthwise adjustably positioned.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 344,434 Booth June 29, 1886 1,665,136 Lauifer Apr. 3, 1928 2,150,796 Brouwer et al Mar. 14, 1939 2,177,605 Whittemore Oct. 24,' 1939 2,392,899 Banner Jan. 15, 1946 k2,417,239 Courtney Mar. 11, 1947 2,525,592 Cotchett Oct. 10, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 274,427 Great Britain ...Oct. 17, 1927 

